The Grand Council of the Crees

The Cree Nation Approves the Eeyou Marine Region Agreement

70.47% of eligible voters voted "yes"

Posted: 2010-03-29

Grand Chief CoonCome congratulates the Cree Nation for their participation in the referendum.Â In particular he stated: "The Cree youth came out in great numbers to support their Nation and I am very proud to see the next generation of Cree leaders coming forth to exercise their right to self-determination.Â I will never forget the messages that were twittered among the youth around the Nation encouraging others to vote and to get involved.Â I am also grateful for the creative efforts of Christopher Herodier and Paul Napash who collaborated in writing and performing the James Bay Island Song.Â Our "islands of hope" are part of our Nation of hope.

I also thank Lawrence Jimiken and his team in carrying outÂ the referendum.

This Agreement assures the Cree people that they can continue their traditional way of life on the islands of James Bay and eastern Hudson Bay and going into the future it provides the Cree Nation with the means to defend their collective interests in case of future development", continued Grand Chief CoonCome.Â

The vote was advertised in La Presse, the Montreal Gazette, Le Sentinel of Chibougamau and in the Nation Magazine as well as on the internet. The Agreement set out the rules for the vote including the requirement for an absolute majority (50%+1) of all eligible voters to vote yes for the Agreement.

Of the 11,381 eligible voters, 70.47% voted "yes". So we have surpassed the requirement of the referendum rules. These results, can be found in the report of the Chief referendum Officer, Mr. Lawrence Jimiken, which will be published on the web site:Â http://www.gcc.ca/Â

The Agreement provides for:

The Cree-Canada Offshore Agreement will be a constitutionally protected Treaty;

Defines the respective rights and obligations of Canada and the Crees;

Land

Cree ownership, including subsurface rights, over most islands in James Bay and Hudson Bay from Long Island going South and joint ownership with the Nunavik Inuit of most of the islands from Long Island to north of Umiujaq.

Land use planning will be managed through a new Planning Commission, Cree (2), Nunavut (1) and Canada (1) representatives.

Harvesting and Wildlife

Crees have the right to harvest in the Offshore Area without permits and licenses